Hydraulically actuated well packers



Sept. 20, 1966 w. 0. MYERS Re. 26,085

HYDRAULICALLY ACTUA'I'ED WELL PACKERS Original Filed March 30, 1961 5Sheets-Sheet l 4 14a, 1. F1 0. la.

INVENTOR. WILL/HM D. M7525 flrraleusys.

Sept. 20, 1966 w. n. MYERS Rs. 26,085

HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED WELL PACKERS Original Filed March 30. 1961 5Sheets-Sheet 3 [10. 3a. 3 I2 y 4 INVENTOR 4 WLL/HM D. MYERS 14 r roam/EY5 Sept. 20, 1966 w. 0. MYERS Re. 26,085

HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED WELL PACKERS United States Patent Oflice Re.26,085 Reisaued Sept. 20, 1966 26,085 HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED WELLPACKERS William D. Myers, Houston, Tex., assignor to Baker Oil Tools,Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Original No.3,112,796, dated Dec. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 99,598, Mar. 30, 1961.Application for reissue Aug. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 482,660

22 Claims. (Cl. 166-120) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears inthe original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification;matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

The present invention relates to subsurface well bore equipment, andmore particularly to well tools, such as well packers, adapted to be sethydraulically in well bores.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved well tool adaptedto be lowered and set hydraulically in a well bore, in which thehydraulic force holding the tool in set condition remains constantregardless of shifting of certain expandible parts of the tool aftersetting has occurred, as, for example, extrusion of rubber orrubber-like packing material through clearance spaces, due to highpressures or temperatures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a well tool adapted to belowered and set hydraulically in a well bore, the hydraulic settingforce being applied constantly, in which the tool is released byequalizing the hydraulic setting force through movement of a tubularstring to which the well tool is secured, movement of the tubular stringbeing prevented from inadvertently causing equalizing of the hydraulicforce.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved well tooladapted to be lowered and set by hydrostatic pressure in a well bore,the tool being released, when desired, by equalizing the hydrostaticpressure tending to hold it in its set condition.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of severalforms in which it may be embodied. Such forms are shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present specification. These formswill now be described in detail for the purpose of illustrating thegeneral principles of the invention; but it is to be understood thatsuch detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, sincethe scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURES 1 and in together constitute a side elevational view andlongitudinal section through a well too] disposed in a well casing, withthe parts in condition for lowering the tool in the well casing, FIG. 1aconstituting a lower continuation of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 2 and 2a together constitute a longitudinal section correspondingto FIGS. 1 and la, respectively, the tool being tripped for hydraulicsetting, FIG. 2a constituting a lower continuation of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 3 and 3a are views corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 1a, respectively,illustrating the tool anchored in packed-01f condition in the wellcasing, FIG. 3a constitoting a lower continuation of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 4 and 4a are longitudinal sections through the well tool disposedin a well casing. and corresponding to FIGS. l and la, illustrating thetool in condition for releuse from the well casing and removaltherefrom, FIG. 4a constituting a lower continuation of FIG. 4:

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 5-5 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 6-6 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 7-7 on FIG. 1a;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 88 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 99 on FIG. 2a;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section through a modified upper portion ofthe well tool illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9; inclusive.

The well tool A illustrated in the drawings is a well packer adapted tobe lowered in a well casing B, or similar conduit string, on a tubularrunning-in string C, such as tubing or drill pipe, to a desired settingpoint at which the well tool is to be anchored in packed-oh condition inthe well casing. When desired, the well tool can be released from thewell casing and removed entirely therefrom.

As shown, the well tool includes a central tubular body or mandrel 10made of several sections, including an upper section 11 threadedlysecured to a coupling 12, which is, in turn, threadedly attached to thelower end of the tubular string C. The upper section 11 is threadedlyattached to an intermediate section 13 of a greater external diameterthan the upper section, the intermediate section, in turn, beingthreadedly secured to a lower section 14 that may have a tubular member15 secured to its lower end, this tubular member extending downwardly inthe well casing by a desired distance.

Surrounding the tubular body 10 is a hydraulic device 16 for preventingupward movement of the well packer in the well casing under theinfluence of well pressure therebelow. Such device includes an annularbody 17 having an upper seal ring 18 adapted to seal against theperiphery of the body 10. The seal ring is disposed in an inwardlydirected flange 19 at the upper portion of the annular body 17, whichserves to space the inner wall 20 of the annular body 17 from thetubular mandrel 10, providing a passage 21 through which fluid underpressure can enter the annular body 17. This annular body 17 has aplurality of generally radial cylinders or bores 22 therein, each ofwhich accommodates a pistonlike gripping element 23 having externalwickers or teeth 24 adapted to engage and be embodied in the wall of thewell casing B when the gripping members are expanded outwardly by fluidpressure. Each piston gripping element has a suitable side seal ring 25sealing against the wall of the confining cylinder 22 and is maintainedin proper oriented condition, so that its external wickers or teeth aredisposed in transverse position, by a retainer bar 26 extendinglongitudinally of the annular body 17 and within external longitudinalslots 27 in the gripping members 23 to prevent the latter from turning.These retainer bars 26 are attached to the body by screws 28, or thelike, and also serve as seats for compression retractor springs 29hearing against the inner surfaces of the bars and also against thegripping members 23, urging latter inwardly to a retracted position.When an adequate fluid pressure differential is present in the annularspace 21 between the body 17 and mandrel 10, the pistons 23 are urgedoutwardly against the force of the springs 29 to embed their teeth 24 inthe wall of thewell casing. The greater the hydraulic force actingoutwardly on the pistons 23, the greater will be the gripping action oftheir teeth against the well casing.

The lower portion of the annular body 17 serves as an upper abutment 30which is threadedly attached to the upper end of an upper setting sleeve31 spaced from the mandrel or body 10 to provide an annular space 32therebetween through which lluid pressure can pass upwardly for actionon the piston gripping members 23. A suitable packing structure 33, suchas a pliant. elastic inherently retracted packing sleeve, made of rubberor ruhberdike material, encompasses the setting sleeve 31, with itsupper end bearing against the upper abutment 30, and also against anupper guage ring 34 threaded on the r abutment and actually constitutinga part thereof. the lower end of the packing sleeve 33 bears against alower abutment 35 slidable on the setting sleeve 31. This lower abutmentmay constitute part of a slip expander device being threadedly attachedto the main portion of the expander 36. Downward movement of the lowerabutment 35 and expander 36 relative to the setting sleeve 31 is limitedby engagement of the abutment 35 with a split stop ring 37 mounted in aperipheral groove 37a in the setting sleeve 31. Fluid pressure from theexterior of the apparatus and below the packing sleeve 33. when thelatter is expanded out against the well casing B, can pass through ports38 in the lower abutment 35. expander 36, and setting sleeve 31 to theannular space 32 between the setting sleeve and tubular mandrel 10, suchfluid passing upwardly through a suitable longitudinal groove or grooves39 formed in a split stop ring 40 mounted in a peripheral groove 41 inthe mandrel and engageable with the inner wall of the setting sleeve 31.

The expander 36 has circumferentially spaced slots 42 therein. the innerwall 43 of each of which tapers in a downward and inward direction,coacting with a companion inner tapered surface 44 of a slip 45 slidablysplined to the expander by inclined tongues 46 on the sides of each slipslidable in companion inclined grooves 47 in the sides of the slot 42adjacent to its tapered expander surface 43. The slips have wickers orteeth 48 adapted to embed in the wall of well casing B upon outwardexpansion of the slips, resulting from relative longitudinal movementbetween the expander 36 and slips 45 in a direction toward each other.Relative separating movement between the expander and slips causes thetongue and groove interconnection 46, 47 to shift the slip 45 fromexpanded to a retracted position.

The slips 45 are all movable longitudinally together by having theirlower portions slidably coupled to a slip ring 50 encompassing the uppersetting sleeve 31. The lower end of each slip is formed as a T-shapedhead 51 receivable in a companion shaped longitudinal slot 52 in theupper portion of the slip ring 50, thereby coupling the slips for jointlongitudinal movement with the slip ring. but permitting lateralmovement of the slips 45 into and out of engagement with the wall of thewell casing B.

The slip ring 50 is connected to the hydraulic setting portion 53 of theapparatus. As shown, a lower setting sleeve or cylinder 54 is threadedlyattached to the slip ring 51 and is slidable along an annular piston 55secured to the upper setting sleeve 31 by resting upon a split stop ring56 mounted in a peripheral groove 57 in the upper setting sleeve. Theelongate cylindrical por tion of the lower setting sleeve or cylinder 54is spaced from the upper setting sleeve 31, forming a cylinder space oratmospheric chamber 58 therein, the lower end of which is closed by alower cylinder head 59 slidable along the periphery of the upper settingsleeve 31. Leak age of fluid between the cylinder head 59 and settingsleeve 31 is prevented by one or more side seal rings 60 mounted in thehead and slidably sealing against the periphery of the upper settingsleeve. Similarly, leakage of fluid between the annular piston 55 andthe wall of the lower setting sleeve 54 is prevented by one or more sideseal rings 61 mounted on the peripheral portion of the piston andslidably sealing against the wall of the setting sleeve 54. Leakage offluid between the interior of the annular piston 55 and upper settingsleeve 31 is prevented by a suitable side seal ring 62 on the pistonengaging the periphery of the upper setting sleeve.

The upper setting sleeve 31 extends through the lower cylinder head 59and is threadcdly secured to a lower head 63 slidably mounted on theperiphery of the lower section 14 of the tubular mandrel or body 10.Leakage of fluid between the head 63 and the mandrel 10 is prcvented bya suitable side seal ring 64 on the head engaging the pcriphery of thelower mandrel section 14. This head is threadedly attached to a cylinderor sleeve 65 extending upwardly therefrom and having an inwardlydirected flange 66 engaging the lower end of the lower setting sleevecylinder head 59. Upward movement of the lower setting sleeve 54 withrespect to the upper setting sleeve 31 is at first prevented byreleasably securing the head 5') of the setting sleeve to the cylindersleeve 65 by means of one or more shear scrcws 67. The upper settingsleeve 31 cannot move relative to the lower setting sleeve 54 since itis connected thereto through the shear screw 67, cylinder 65 and head 63threaded on the lower end of the upper setting sleeve 31.

Leakage of fluid between the lower setting sleeve head 59 and the sleeveof the lower cylinder 65 is prevented by a suitable side seal ring 68 onthe head engaging the wall of the cylinder 65. The cylinder 65 is spacedlaterally from the lower portion of the upper setting sleeve 31,providing an annular cylinder space 69 containing a release piston 70,the upper end of which engages the lower end of the lower setting sleevehead 59. The upper portion of the piston 70 extends within the sleeveflange 66 and its lower portion has an upwardly facing shoulder 71adapted to engage this flange to limit upward movement of the piston 70in the lower cylinder 65, as described hereinbelow. Leakage of fluidbetween the piston 70 and the upper, inner setting sleeve 31 isprevented by a suitable inner side seal ring 72 engaging the peripheryof the setting sleeve. Leakage of fluid between the piston 70 and theouter sleeve 65 is prevented by a suitable side seal ring 73 on thepiston engaging the inner wall of this latter sleeve.

In accomplishing the setting of certain normally retracted parts of thewell packer, such as the packing sleeve 33 and lower slips 45, againstthe wall of the well casing B, the upper and lower setting sleeves 31.54 are movable longitudinally with respect to each other. As disclosedin the form of invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, inclusive, the upper orinner setting sleeve 31 can move, at times, longitudinally relative tothe tubular mandrel 10 of the tool, which movement is desirable in someuses of the well packer. When such movement is permitted, however. thesetting sleeve 31 is releasably connected to the tubular mandrel 10, sothat the parts are movable longitudinally through the well casing B as aunit prior to setting of the tool in the well casing. The releasableconnection is provided by a lock key or pin 75 extending through aradial or lateral bore 76 in the lower portion of the inner settingsleeve 31 and received within a peripheral groove 77 in the lowersection of the tubular mandrel 10. This key 75 is held initially in thegroove 77 by engaging the lower portion of the release piston 70. Whenthe release piston is moved upwardly. as explained hereinbelow, a spring78 (FIG. 9), which encompasses the lower mandrel section 14, and whichis secured to the key 75, is allowed to expand outwardly to remove thekey 75 from the groove 77, thereby freeing the inner setting sleeve 31from the tubular mandrel l0 and permitting relative longitudinalmovement between these parts.

The piston 70 is movable upwardly, to release the lock key 75 and alsoto shear the screw 67 releasably connecting the outer setting sleeve orcylinder 54 to the inner or upper setting sleeve 31, by the applicationof hydraulic pressure to the release piston 70. This pressure may beobtained by imposing the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid in thetubular string and the mandrel, this pressure, when permitted to do so.passing through one or more side ports 80 in the tubular mandrel l0 andthrough one or more side ports 81 in thc inner set ting sleeve 31 intothe cylinder 65 for upward action on the piston. initially. however, thefluid pressure can not enter the cylinder 65 by virtue of a sleeve valve82 disposed across the mandrel port 80. this sleeve valve havinglongitudinally spaced side seals 83 thereon sealingly engaging themandrel section 14 on opposite sides of its port 80. The sleeve valve 82is retained in such closed position across the mandrel port by one ormore shear screws 84 attached to the mandrel and to the sleeve valve.

The sleeve valve 82 is released hydraullically after dropping a ball 85,or similar tripping valve element, into the tubular string C, which willgravitate through the fluid therein and come to rest upon a valve seat86 provided by the inwardly projecting spring-like fingers 87 integralwith longitudinally extending arms 88 forming the upper portion of thesleeve valve 82. These outwardly directed fingers 87 engage an innerwall 89 of the tubular mandrel to provide the inward restriction or seat86 upon which the ball valve element 85 comes to rest. When fluidpressure of a sufficient value, as. for example, 1,000 psi. is appliedto the fluid in the tubular string C and the tubular body 10, suchpressure acts downwardly on the ball valve element 85 and the sleevevalve 82, shearing the screw 84 and causing the sleeve valve 82 to shiftdownwardly to a position limited by its engagement with a lower mandrelshoulder 90. At this time, the spring fingers 87 are disposed in alarger diameter portion 91 of the mandrel 10, springing outwardly intosuch portion. and increasing the diameter of the valve seat 86 to agreater value than the diameter of the ball \alve element 85, the latterthen dropping through the sleeve valve 82 and continuing on down throughthe mandrel 10 and the tubing therebelow for discharge into the wellcasing or well bore. With the sleeve valve 82 engaging the shoulder 90,the side ports 80. 81 are open, so that fluid under hydrostatic pressurecan then be imposed in the cylinder 65 to urge the release piston 70upwardly and initiate setting of the tool A in the casing B.

Leakage of fluid between the mandrel l0 and the inner setting sleeve 31is prevented by a side seal ring 92 on the mandrel engaging the innerwall of the setting sleeve above the inlet port 80. When the mandrel 10is moved u wardly relative to the inner sleeve 31 to sufiicient extentthe seal 92 is moved upwardly above vent or equalizir'g ports 93 in theinner sleeve 31 below the annular piston 55, to allow fluid pressure toenter the atmospheric chamber 58 and thereby equalize the pre sure orforce acting on the annular piston 55 and also on the lower cylinderhead 59. Such hydraulic force is provided by the hydrostatic head offluid in the well bore, this hydrostatic head of fluid being adapted toenter through the side port 94 in the upper portion of the outer settingsleeve 54 to the interior of the latter above the annular piston 55,urging such annular piston downwardly. When the shear screw 67 is dirupted and the lower head 59 moved upwardly out of the lower sleeve 65,the hydrostatic pressure can act upwardly on the lower cylinder head 59urging it in an upward direction. Fluid from the annular space 32 isprevented from passing to the ports 93 by a side seal 95 in the bodysection 13 sealing against the inner sleeve 31.

In the operation of the apparatus di closed in FIGS. 1 to 9, inclusive,the sleeve valve 82 is disposed initially across the ports 80, 81. Theupper gripping members 23, packing structure 33 and slips 45 are inretracted position, the shear screws 67, 84 being intact. and the partsoccupying the position illustrate in FIGS. 1 and la. At this time. thebail valve element 85 has not been dropped into the tubing string C. Theapparatus is lowered through the fluid in the well casing B to thedesired setting point, whereupon fluid can be circulated down throughthe tubing string, if desired, to clear the casing of drilling mud, orother weighting material, therewithin. Also, if desired, the connectionsat the top of the well bore to the tubing string C can be completed. Atthis time, fluid is prevented from entering the atmospheric chamber 58,which will retain air at atmospheric pressure thcrcwithin, and thehydrostatic head of fluid is prevented from setting the parts since theshear screw 67 is intact and the parts 80, 81 are closed. Thehydrostatic head of fluid cannot act upon the outer setting sleeve 54and move it upwardly relative to the inner setting sleeve 31.

When it is desired to set the well packer, the tripping ball 85 isdropped into the tubular string, gravitating therethough and through thetubular mandrel or body 10 into engagement with the seat 86 provided bythe fingers 87 projecting into the mandrel passage 100. Fluid pressureis then imposed on the fiuid in the tubing tring C, acting downwardly onthe ball 85 and sleeve 82 to shear the screw 84, the sleeve movingdownwardly to a position opening the ports 80, 81, one in which thespring arms 88 and fingers 87 inherently shift outwardly to permit theball 85 to pass down through the sleeve valve 82 and out of theapparatus.

Hydrostatic pressure can then enter through the open ports 80, 81 in themandrel 10 and the inner sleeve 31, moving into the cylinder 65 andacting upwardly on the piston 70 which engages the sleeve head 597 Thehydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore is normally sufficient toeffect a shearing of the screw 68 and elevation of the piston 70 withinthe cylinder 65 to a position limited by engagement of the piston withthe sleeve flange 66, at which time the sleeve head 59 will have beenelevated to move its seal ring 68 out of the cylinder 65, allowing thehydrostatic head of fluid to then act on the underside of the head 59and urge it and the sleeve 54 in an upward direction (see FIGS. 2 and2a). At this time, the piston 70 has been removed from behind the lockkey 75, allowing the spring 78 to shift the key out of the mandrelgroove 77, freeing the inner sleeve 31 from the mandrel 10 andpermitting the inner sleeve and mandrel to shift longitudinally withrespect to one another.

Prior to removal of the key 75 from the groove 77, downward movement ofthe tubular string C and mandrel 10 is transmitted to the inner sleeve31 by the abutting of the coupling of sub 12 with the upper end of theanchor body 17. If such abutting did not occur, then the upper side ofthe groove 77 would engage the key 75 to move the inner sleeve 31downwardly with the mandrel 10, and all of the other parts surroundingthe mandel 10 would also move downwardly therewith. Similarly, if thetubular string C were to be moved upwardly prior to release and settingof the well tool, the lower side of the groove 77 would engage the key75 and move all of the parts surrounding the mandrel 10 upwardly withit.

With the parts in the position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2a, followingupward movement of the piston 70 and its shearing of the screw 67, thesleeve 54 then moves up wardly to shift the slips upwardly along theexpander 36 and outwardly toward the wall of the well casing B. The keyor pin 75 is now out of the groove 77, so that the hydrostatic head offluid acting downwardly on the piston 55 can urge the inner sleeve 31relatively in a downward direction and the outer sleeve 54 relatively inan upward direction, in view of the pressure differential across theupper piston 55 and the lower piston or head 59, since the atmosphericchamber 58 still only retains air at substantially atmospheric pressuretherewithin. As a result. the anchor body and upper abutment 17, 30 ismoved rela tively downwardly with the inner sleeve 31, carrying thepacking 33 and expander 36 downwardly with it to wedge the expanderwithin the slips 45, the wickers 48 of the latter embedding themselvesin the wall of the well casing B. Continued application of the upwardhydrostatic force on the outer sleeve 54, and through the latter on theslip ring and slips 45, and of the donward force on the inner sleeve 31by the hydrostatic head of fluid acting downwardly on the piston thenmoves the upper abutment 30 and the entire anchor body 17 downwardlyrelarise to the lower abutment 35 to shorten the packing 33 and etl'ectits expansion outwardly into sealing engage- Ttl-LFl't uith the wall ofthe well casing B, the parts then i eetlf'lillg the relative positionsillustrated in FIGS. 3

Any pressure in the annulus between the tubing string t and easing Bacting downwardly on the well tool A will then tend to urge the packing33 and expander 36 do n iiidly to a further extent, to more firmly wedgethe expander 36 into the slips 45, thus precluding downward titaxctnent.1n the event that pressure in the well casing belo-v the packing 33tends to elevate the well packer and release it, sttch tendency isprevented by the upper anchor portion 16 of the apparatus, the fiuidpressure passing through the ports 38 into the annular space 32, 21betueen the inner setting sleeve 31 and mandrel 10, and betuecn theanchor body 17 and the mandrel 10, the pressure acting on the inner endsof the pistons 23 and urging them outwardly against the force of thesprings 29 to etubnl their wiekers 24in firm gripping engagement withthe will of the well casing. The greater the pressure in the well casingB below the packing l7, tending to elevate the tool A, the greater isthe otttward force exerted by such pressttre on the pistons 23 to embedtheir wickcrs 24 in the u all of the well casing, and resist and preventsuch u ward movement of the well packer.

The well packer A will remain in its. anchored and packed-oil condition,there being a constant setting force being exerted on the inner andouter sleeves 31, 54 tending to move the inner sleeve 31 downwardly andthe outer sleeve 54 upwardly, to maintain the slips 45 and packing 33set against the wall of the well casing. In the event that any rubbermaterial of the packing 33 were to extrude between the clearance spacesbetween the abutments 35 and 30. 34 and the wall of the well casing, thehydrostatic head of fluid acting downwardly on the upper piston 55 andupwardly on the lower piston 59 would shift the arts suflicicntly so asto continue to exert the same force maintaining the packing 33 and lowerslips 45 in set condition. Thus, the well packer A will remain inpackedotl condition against movement in both directions.

la the event of any tendency for the tubular string C to move upwardlyin the well casing B. as due to its contraction resulting from decreasein temperature of the tluitl in the well casing. such upward movementwould be transmitted to the tttbular mandrel and would shift it upwardlyuithin the sleeve 31 and anchor body 17. To insure that the tubularmandrel will not move upwardly to a suflicient extent as to bring theseal ring 92 above tlr. vent or equalizing port 93, a shear screw 105 isproidcd in the sleeve 31, projecting inwardly thereof toward the mandrel10. The shoulder I06 provided by the upper end of the intermediatemandrel section 13 will engage the hear screw 105 before the seal ring92 can move above the vent port 93. and will preclude further upwardmovement of the mandrel 10 relative to the inner sleeve 31. therebypreventing opening of the vent port and release of the well packer fromthe well casing.

However, when the well packer A is to be released from the well casing.the tubing string C is moved upwardly, carrying the mandrel or body 10upwardly with it, until the shoulder 106 engages the shear screw 105;whereupon .t sufhcient upward pull is taken on the tubular string andmandrel to shear the screw 105 and allow the mandrel to move upwardly toa position in which the stop ring 40 ct gc the downwardly facingshoulder 108 on the anchor body 17. At this time, the upper seal ring 92is disposed above the vent port 93 allowing the hydrostatic head offluid to pass into the previously sealed atmosplutic chamber 58 (FIGS.4, 4n The hydrostatic head or Iluid then also acts in an upwarddirection on the upper pi ton 55 and a downward direction on the lowerpiston 59. equalizing or offsetting the hydrostatic head of tluid actingon these parts in the opposite direction. \Vilh the ressure in thetttbular string C and externally thereof and equalized, the springs 29sltilt the upper gripping members 23 inwardly and l'tli'ite'l them lrontthe well casing ll. An upward pull can then be taken on the tubularstring C, which will be tran mitted through the mandrel 10 to the anchorbody 17. shif ing the latter upwardly and carrying the upper abutment30, 34 upwardly away from the lower abutment 35. allowing the packingstructure 33 to retract inherently from the well casing to its initialposition. Continued upward movement carries the upper sleeve 31upwardly, ttntil the stop ring 37 engages the lower abutment 35, whichwill tlt:n shift the expander 36 upwardly relative to the slips 45. theinclined tongue and groove connections 46. 47 between the slips and theexpander shifting the slips to retracted position. Upon upward movementof the inner setting sleeve 31 to a sufficient extent. its piston 55will engage the slip ring 50 and move the otttcr sleeve 54 upwardly withit. The lower sleeve 65. release piston 70, lock pin 75, and otherstructure within the apparatus moves upwardly with the inner sleeve 31and the mandrel Ill, so that the entire tool A can be elevated in the\KCll casing ll and removed entirely therefrom at thc top of the wellborc.

\Vith the form of invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 t0 9, inclusive. themandrel It) is permitted to move longitudinally within the inner sleeve31 and the anchor body 17. However. the mandrel can be secured to theanchor body and the sleeve, in which event the lock pin and spring 78are unnecessary, \thich is also true of the shear screw 105. Asillustrated in FIG. 10, the upper coupling 12a has been modified so thatit is not only threadcdly attached to the upper end of the mandrel 10,but has another left-hand thread 110 for threadcdly securing it to theupper threaded pin end 111 of the anchor body 17. Thus, the mandrel l0,anchor body 17 and inner sleeve 31 are attached together during runningof the tool in the well casing and during setting of the well tool, andits remaining in set condition, within the well casing. The apparatus isoperated in the .same manner as heretofore described to cfl ect itssetting in the well casing. Since the mandrel 10 cannot move upwardlyrelative to the setting sleeve 31, the shear screw is unnecessary toprevent inadvertent upward movement of the mandrel 10 to an extentopening the vent or equalizing port 93. When the packer is to hereleased. thcn the tubing string C is rotated to the right, which willcause unscrewing of the coupling 12a from the anch r body 17, which willthen release the mandrel 10 from the anchor body, permitting its upwardmovement until the stop ring 40 engages the lower shoulder 108 on thehotly 17, at which time the seal ring 92 is disposed uboxc the vent port93, opening the latter to the hydrostatic ltCHJ of fluid in the wellbore. The pressure in and around the apparatus is then equal izcd, ifequalization ha not previously occurred. and the tubing string C andmandrel 1t] moved upwardly, all of the parts returning to their initialretracted positions, so that the well tool can be elevated in the wellcasing and removed entirely therefrom.

The inventor claims:

1. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore: upperactuating means en gaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve surrounding said body;lower actuating means engaging a lower portion of said normallyretracted means and comprising a lower setting sleeve; hydraulicallyoperable means on said sleeves movable mn'm'd each other for shiftingsaid upper and lower actuating means relative to each other to expandsaid normally retracted means, said hydraulically operable means on eachsleeve being .sli lable along the other sleeve; and means for enablingfluid pressure to act on said hydraulically operable means.

2. In apparatus adapted to he set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve surrounding said body;lower actuating means engaging a lower portion of said normallyretracted means and comprising a lower setting sleeve; hydraulicallyoperable means on said sleeves movable toward ('(lC/I other for shillingsaid upper and lower actuating means relative to each other to expandsaid normally retracted means, said hydraulically operable means on eachsleeve being slidable along the other sleeve; means for enabling fluidpressure to act on said hydraulically operable means; and means forequalizing the pressure acting on said hydraulically operable means toenable said normally retracted means to be retracted.

3. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve surrounding said body;lower actuating means engaging a lower portion of said normallyretracted means and comprising a lower setting sleeve; hydraulicallyoperable means on said sleeves for shifting said upper and loweractuating means relative to each other to expand said normally retractedmeans, said hydraulically operable means on each sleeve being slidablealong the other sleeve; means for enabling fluid pressure to act on saidhydraulically operable means; means operable by said body for equalizingthe pressure acting on said hydraulically operable means to enable saidnormally retracted means to be retracted; and releasable means securingsaid body to one of said sleeves to prevent operation of said equalizingmeans.

4. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said normady retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve surrounding said body;lower actuating means engaging a lower portion of said normallyretracted means and comprising a lower setting sleeve; hydraulicallyoperable means responsive to the hydrostatic head of fluid in the wellbore for shifting said upper and lower sleeves and said upper and loweractuating means relative to each other to expand said normally retractedmeans. said hydraulically operable means on each sleeve being slidablealong the other sleeve; and means for enabling the hydrostatic head offluid to act on said hydraulically operable means.

5. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body: normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means ongaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve surrounding said body;lower actuating means engaging a lower portion of said normallyretracted means and comprising a lower setting sleeve; hydraulicallyoperable means responsive to the hydrostatic head of fluid in the wellbore for shifting said upper and lower sleeves and said upper and loweractuating means relative to each other to expand said normally retractedmeans. said hydraulically operable means on each sleeve bring slidablealong the other sleeve; means for enabling the hydrostatic head of fluidto act on said hydraulically operable means: and means operable by saidbody for equalizing the hydrostatic head of fluid acting on saidhydraulically operable means to enable said normally retracted means tobe retracted from its outwardly expanded position.

6. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve surrounding said body;lower actuating means engaging a lower portion of said normallyretracted means and comprising a lower setting sleeve; hydraulicallyoperable means responsive to the hydrostatic head of fluid in the wellbore for shifting said upper and lower sleeves and said upper and loweractuating means relative to each other to expand said normally retractedmeans, said hydraulically operable means on each sleeve being slidablealong the other sleeve; means for enabling the hydrostatic head of fluidto act on said hydraulically operable means; means operable by said bodyfor equalizing the hydrostatic head of fluid acting on saidhydraulically operable means to enable said normally retracted means tobe retracted from its outwardly expanded position; and releasable meanssecuring said body to one of said sleeves to prevent operation of saidequalizing means.

7. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve; lower actuating meansengaging a lower portion of said normally retracted means and comprisinga lower setting sleeve; opposed pistons on said sleeves, said piston oneach sleeve sealingly engaging the other sleeve to provide anatmospheric chamber into which well bore fluid cannot enter initially,said pistons being responsive to the hydrostatic head of fluid in thewell bore for relatively shifting said sleeves and upper and loweractuating means to expand said normally re tracted means; means forpreventing the hydrostatic head of fluid from shifting said pistons; andmeans for releasing said preventing means to permit the hydrostatic headof fluid to shift said pistons and eflect expansion of said normallyretracted means.

8. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve; lower actuating meansengaging a lower portion of said normally retracted means and comprisinga lower setting sleeve; opposed pistons on said sleeves, said piston oneach sleeve sealingly engaging the other sleeve to provide anatmospheric chamber into which well bore fluid cannot enter initially,said pistons being responsive to the hydrostatic head of fluid in thewell bore for relatively shifting said sleeves and upper and loweractuating means to expand said normally retracted means; means forpreventing the hydrostatic head of fluid from shifting said pistons;means for releasing said preventing means to permit the hydrostatic headof fluid to shift said pistons and effect expansion of said normallyretracted means; and means for exposing said atmospheric chamber to thehydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore to enable said normallyretracted means to retract from expanded position.

9. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve; lower actuating meansengaging a lower portion of said normally retracted means and comprisinga lower setting sleeve; opposed pistons on said sleeves, said piston oneach sleeve sealingly engaging the other sleeve to provide anatmospheric chamber into which well bore fluid cannot enter initially,said pistons being responsive to the hydrostatic head of fluid in thewell bore for relatively shitting said sleeves and upper and loweractuating means to expand said normally retracted means; means forpreventing the hydrostatic head of fluid front shifting said pistons;means for releasing said preventing means to permit the hydrostatic headat fluid to shift said pistons and effect expansion of said m tuallyretracted means; and means operable by said body for exposing saidatmospheric chamber to the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore toenable said normally retracted means to retract from expanded position.

It). In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve; lower actuating meansengaging a lower portion of said normally retracted means and comprisinga lower setting sleeve; opposed pistons on said sleeves. said piston oneach sleeve sealingly engaging the other sleeve to provide anatmospheric chamber into which well bore fluid cannot enter initially,said pistons being responsive to the hydrostatic head of fluid in thewell bore for relatively shifting said sleeves and upper and loweractuating means to expand said normally retracted means; means forpreventing the hydrostatic head of fluid from shifting said pistons;means for releasing said preventing means to permit the hydrostatic headof fluid to shift said pistons and eflect expansion of said normallyretracted means; means operable by said body for exposing saidatmospheric chamber to the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore toenable said normally retracted means to retract from expanded position;and releasable means securing said body to one of said sleeves toprevent operation of said exposing means 11. In apparatus adapted to beset in a well bore: a body: normally retracted means disposed about saidbody and adapted to be expanded outwardly into engagement with the wallof the well bore; upper actuating means engaging an upper portion ofsaid normally retracted means and comprising an upper setting sleeve;lower actuating means engaging a lower portion of said normallyretracted means and comprising a lower setting sleeve; opposed pistonson said sleeves, said piston on each sleeve sealingly engaging the othersleeve to provide an atmospheric chamber into which well bore fluidcannot enter initially, said pistons being responsive to the hydrostatichead of fluid in the Well bore for relatively shifting said sleeves andupper and lower actuating means to expand said normally retracted means;means releasably inter connecting said sleeves to prevent thehydrostatic head of fluid from shifting said pistons and sleeves: andhydraulically operable means for releasing said interconnecting means topermit the hydrostatic head of fluid to shift said pistons and sleeves.

12. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve; lower actuating meansengaging a lower portion of said normally retracted means and comprisinga lower setting sleeve; opposed pistons on said sleeves, said piston oneach sleeve sealingly engaging the other sleeve to provide anatmospheric chamber into which well bore fluid cannot enter initially,said pistons being responsive to the hydrostatic head of fluid in thewell bore for relatively shifting said sleeves and upper and loweractuating means to expand said normally retracted means; meansreleasably interconnecting said sleeves to prevent the hydrostatic headof fluid from shifting said pistons and sleeves; releasable meanssecuring said body to one of said sleeves; hydraulically operable meansinitially preventing release of said releasable means and for releasingsaid interconnecting means; means for initially preventing fluidpressure from acting on said hydraulically operable means; and means forshifting said initially preventing means to a position permitting fluidpressure to act on said hydraulically operable means to shift saidhydraulically operable means and release said releasable means andinterconnecting means.

13. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve; lower actuating meansengaging a lower portion of said normally retracted means and comprisinga lower setting sleeve; opposed pistons on said sleeves. said piston oneach sleeve sealingly engaging the other sleeve to provide anatmospheric chamber into which well bore fluid cannot enter initially,said pistons being responsive to the hydrostatic head of fluid in thewell bore for relatively shitting said sleeves and upper and loweractuating means to expand said normally retracted means; meansreleasably interconnecting said sleeves to prevent the hydrostatic headof fluid from shifting said pistons and sleeves; hydraulically operablemeans for releasing said interconnecting means to permit the hydrostatichead of fluid to shift said pistons and sleeves; and releasable meanssecuring said body to one of said sleeves.

14. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve; lower actuating meansengaging a lower portion of said normally retracted means and comprisinga lower setting sleeve; opposed pistons on said sleeves, said piston oneach sleeve sealingly engaging the other sleeve to provide anatmospheric chamber into which well bore fluid cannot enter initially.said pistons being responsive to the hydrostatic head of fluid in thewell bore for relatively shifting said sleeves and upper and loweractuating means to expand said normally retracted means; meansreleasably inlerconnecting said sleeves to prevent the hydrostatic headof fluid from shifting said pistons and sleeves; hydraulically operablemeans for releasing said interconnecting means to permit the hydrostatichead of fluid to shift said pistons and sleeves; and means operable bysaid body for exposing said atmospheric chamber to the hydrostatic headof fluid in the well bore to enable said normally retracted means toretract from expanded position.

15. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve; lower actuating meansengaging a lower portion of said nor mally retracted means andcomprising a lower setting sleeve; opposed pistons on said sleeves, saidpiston on each sleeve sealingly engaging the other sleeve to provide anatmospheric chamber into which well bore fluid cannot enter initially,said pistons being responsive to the hydrostatic head of fluid in thewell bore for relatively shifting said sleeves and upper and loweractuating means to expand said normally retracted means; meansreleasably interconnecting said sleeves to prevent the hydrostatic headof fluid from shifting said pistons and sleeves; releasable meanssecuring said body to one of said sleeves; hydraulically operable meansinitially preventing release of said releasable means and for releasingsaid interconnecting means; means for initially preventing fluidpressure from acting on said hydraulically operable means; means forshifting said initially preventing means to a position permitting fluidpressure to act on said bydraulically operable means to shift saidhydraulically operable means and release said releasable means andinterconnecting means; and means operable by said body after its releasefrom said one sleeve for exposing said atmospheric chamber to thehydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore to enable said normallyretracted means to retract from expanded position.

16. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve; lower actuating meansengaging a lower portion of said normally retracted means and comprisinga lower setting sleeve; opposed pistons on said sleeves, said piston oneach sleeve sealingly engaging the other sleeve to provide an atmoshericchamber into which well bore fluid cannot enter initially, said pistonsbeing responsive to the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore forrelatively shifting said sleeves and upper and lower actuating means toexpand said normally retracted means; means releasably interconnectingsaid sleeves to prevent the hydrostatic head of fluid from shifting saidpistons and sleeves; hydraulically operable means for releasing saidinterconnecting means to permit the hydrostatic head of fluid to shiftsaid pistons and sleeves: releasble means securing said body to one ofsaid sleeves; and means operable by said body after its release fromsaid one sleeve for exposing said atmospheric chamber to the hydrostatichead of fluid in the well bore to enable said normally retracted meansto re tract from expanded position.

17. ln apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve surrounding said body;lower actuating means engaging a lower portion of said normallyretracted means and comprising a lower setting sleeve surrounding saidupper sleeve and spaced laterally therefrom a piston connected to saidupper sleeve and slidably and sealingly engtging said lower sleeve apiston connected to said lower sleeve and sealingly engaging said uppersleeve said pistons and sleeves providing an atmospheric chamber intowhich well bore fluid cannot enter initially; said pistons beingresponsive to the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore forrelatively shifting said sleeves and upper and lower actuating means toexpand said normally retracted means; means releasably interconnectingsaid sleeves to prevent the hydrostatic head of fluid from shifting saidpistons and sleeves; hydraulically operable means for shifting saidpreventing means to a position permitting the hydrostatic head of fluidto act on said pistons and shift said pistons. sleeves and upper andlower actuating means to expand said normally retracted means; meansoperable by said body for exposing said atomspheric chamber to thehydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore to enable said normallyretracted means to retract from its outwardly expanded position.

18. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve surrounding said body;'lower actuating means engaging a lower portion of said normallyretracted means and comprising a lower setting sleeve surrounding saidupper sleeve and s aced laterally therefrom; a piston connected to saidupper sleeve and slidably and sealingly engaging said lower sleeve; apiston connected to said lower sleeve and sealingly engaging said uppersleeve; said pistons and sleeves providing an atmospheric chamber intowhich well bore fluid cannot enter initially; said pistons beingresponsive to the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore forrelatively shifting said sleeves and upper and lou er actuating means toexpand said normally retracted means; means relcasably interconnectingsaid sleeves to prevent the hydrostatic head of fluid from shifting saidpistons and sleeves; hydraulically operable means for shifting saidpreventing means to a position permitting the hydrostatic head of fluidto act on said pistons and shift said pistons, sleeves and upper andlower actuating means to expand said normally retracted means; meansoperable by said body for exposing said atmospheric chamber to thehydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore to enable said normallyretracted means to retract from its outwardl expanded position; and lockmeans engaged by said hydraulically operable means for releasablyconnccting said body to said upper sleeve said lock means being releasedupon actuation of said hydraulically opcrable means to shift saidpreventing means to allow said body to move said exposing means to opensaid atmospheric chamber to the hydrostatic head of fluid in the wellbore.

19. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve surrounding said body;lower actuating means engaging t2 lower portion of said normallyretracted means and comprising a lower setting sleeve surrounding saidupper sleeve and spaced laterally therefrom; a piston connected to saidupper sleeve and slidably and scalingly engaging said lower sleeve; apiston connected to said lower sleeve and settlingly engaging said uppersleeve; said pistons and sleeves providing an atmospheric chamber intowhith well bore fluid cannot enter initially: said pistons beingresponsive to the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore forrelatively shifting said sleeves and upper and lower actuating means toexpand said normally retracted means; means rcleasably interconnectingsaid sleeves to prevent the hydrostatic head of fluid from shifting saidpistons and sleeves; hydraulically operable means for shifting saidpreventing means to a position permitting the hydrostatic head of fluidto act on said pistons and shift said pistons. sleeves and upper andlower actual ing means to expand said normally retracted means; meansoperable by said body for exposing said atmos pheric chamber to thehydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore to enable said normallyretracted means to retract from its outwardly expanded position; andmeans releasably connecting said body to said upper sleeve, release ofsaid means enabling said body to be moved relative to said upper sleeveto operate said atmospheric chamber exposing means.

20. In apparatus adopted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyrefracted means disposed about raid body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said nonnally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve and an upper piston on saidupper setting sleeve; lower actuating means engaging a lower portion ofsaid normally retracted means and comprising a lower selling sleeve anda lower piston on said lower sleeve; said piston on each sleeve.rcali'ngly and slidably engaging the other sleeve; said piston: beingmovable relatively toward each other for shifting .rut'd sleevesrelative to said body and said upper and lower actuating meansrelatively toward each other to expand said normally retracted means;and means for enabling hydraulic pressure to act on said pistons.

21. In rlpprrrmus (uluptcrl to be set in a well born. body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into cngagenwnt will: the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging (in upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve and on upper piston on saidupper setting sleeve; lower actuating mums engaging a lower portion 0)said normally retracted means and comprising a lower setting sleeve anda lower im n below said upper piston; said piston on each sleeve lwlglyand slidably engaging the other sleeve; said tip ar and lower pistonsbeing movable relatively toward .Ht-h other for shifting said upper andlower actuating tvll'll/U relatively toward each other to expand saidnormal- I) retracted means; and means for enabling hydraulic ressure toact upwardly on said lower piston and downwardly on said upper piston.

32. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body; normallyretracted means disposed about said body and adapted to be expandedoutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; upperactuating means engaging an upper portion of said normally retractedmeans and comprising an upper setting sleeve and an upper piston on saidupper setting sleeve; lower actuating means comprising a transversemember engaging a lower ortion of said normally retracted means, a lowersetting sleeve seemed to and depending from said transverse member and alower piston on said lower sleeve slidably and sealingly engaging saidupper sleeve; said upper piston being disposed between said transversemember and lower piston and sealingly engaging said lower sleeve; andmeans for enabling hydraulic pressure to act on said upper and loweractuating means to relatively shift said upper and lower actuating meanstoward each other and to also shift said pistons toward each other:

References Cited by the Examiner The following references, cited by theExaminer, are of record in the patented filc of this patent or theoriginal patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,507,270 4/1950 Ragan 166-120 X 2,695,064 11/1954Ragan et a] 166-120 2,735,497 2/1956 Brumlen 166-212 2,739,651 3/1956Brown 166-119 2,765,853 10/1956 Brown 166-134 2,795,281 6/1957 Christian166-120 3,008,523 11/1961 Clark at al. 166-129 3,122,205 2/1964 Broun etall 166-120 CHARLES Ev O'CONNELL, Primary Examiner.

J. A. LEPPINK, Assistant Examiner.

